Four-time African champions Ghana will be opening their 24th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign against Cape Verde at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan on Sunday, 8 pm local time.
Despite a descent from stardom in recent AFCON appearances, the Black Stars aim for a strong comeback on the continental stage. Following a series of semi-final appearances between 2008 and 2017, Ghana faced a setback in the 2019 edition, losing to Tunisia in the round of 16. The 2021 AFCON proved disastrous as Ghana failed to qualify from the group stage, marking their worst-ever campaign.
In their subsequent appearance, which occurred in the last edition (2021 AFCON), Ghana faced what could be considered their worst-ever campaign in the competition. The team failed to qualify from the group stage, suffering a shocking loss to debutants Comoros in their final group game.
Under the leadership of Chris Hughton, the third coach since the disappointing incident, Ghana finds comfort in their history with Cape Verde. In 2013, the Black Stars eliminated the Blue Sharks in the quarter-finals with a remarkable brace by Mubarak Wakaso.
Cape Verde, determined to surpass their recent round-of-16 exit, aims to at least match their 2013 achievement. The stakes are high as both teams seek maximum points to avoid upsets from the clear favorites of the group, Egypt, who will also face Mozambique.
While Ghana has seen less success in opening AFCON games in recent attempts, having won only one in their last five, the team is poised to give its all against Cape Verde.
Despite Ghana’s less-than-ideal record in opening games at the AFCON, securing only one victory in their last five attempts (which occurred in 2017 against Uganda, courtesy of a spot kick by Andre Ayew), the team is poised to give their all against Cape Verde.
FORM GUIDE (LAST FIVE MATCHES)
GHANA’S OVERALL FORM
- 8 January 2024 Ghana 0–0 Namibia Friendly
- 21 November 2023: Comoros 1–0 Ghana 2026 World Cup qualification
- 17 November 2023: Ghana 1–0 Madagascar 2026 World Cup qualification
- 17 October 2023: United States 4–0 Ghana Friendly
- 14 October 2023: Mexico 2–0 Ghana Friendly
AFCON FORM
- 18 January 2022: Ghana 2–3 Comoros AFCON 2021
- 14 January 2022: Gabon 1–1 Ghana AFCON 2021
- 10 January 2022: Morocco 1–0 Ghana AFCON 2021
- 8 July 2019: Ghana 1–1 (a.e.t.) Tunisia AFCON 2021
- 2 July 2019: Guinea-Bissau 0–2 Ghana AFCON 2021
CAPE VERDE’S OVERALL FORM
- 10 January 2024: Tunisia 2–0 Cape Verde Friendly
- 21 November 2023: Eswatini 0–2 Cape Verde 2026 World Cup qualification
- 16 November 2023: Cape Verde 0–0 Angola 2026 World Cup qualification
- 17 October 2023: Cape Verde 1–2 Comoros Friendly
- 12 October 2023: Algeria 5–1 Cape Verde Friendly
AFCON FORM
- 25 January 2022: Senegal 2–0 Cape Verde AFCON 2021
- 17 January 2022: Cape Verde 1–1 Cameroon AFCON 2021
- 13 January 2022: Cape Verde 0–1 Burkina Faso AFCON 2021
- 9 January 2022: Ethiopia 0–1 Cape Verde AFCON 2021
- 26 January 2015: Cape Verde 0–0 Zambia AFCON 2015
HEAD TO HEAD
- 02 Feb 2013: Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde AFCON 2013
- 14 Nov 2012: Cape Verde 0-1 Ghana International Friendly
- 08 Oct 2005: Cape Verde 0-4 Ghana 2006 World Cup qualification
- 05 Sep 2004: Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde 2006 World Cup qualification
- 20 May 2001: Cape Verde 1-0 Ghana West Africa Nations Cup
TEAM NEWS
GHANA
As per Ghana coach Chris Hughton, Mohammed Kudus is the sole uncertainty and will undergo assessment before the game on Sunday. Consequently, Salisu Mohammed, following a prolonged absence, may be included, along with Daniel Amartey and Alexander Djiku, both of whom have recently dealt with injuries.
PREDICTED LINEUP
(4-2-3-1): Ofori; Seidu, Amartey, Salisu, Mensah; Salis, Ashimeru; J. Ayew, Paintsil, Semenyo; Williams
CAPE VERDE
The Blue Sharks head into the encounter without any reported injuries, and Bubista is expected to employ a 4-3-3 formation against the Ghanaians.
PREDICTED LINEUP
(4-3-3): Vozinha; Semedo, Borges, Pico, Stopira; Rocha, Costa, Monteiro; Mendes, Rodrigues, Bebe